As I reflect on this Mother’s Day, I am filled with a sense of urgency. My pacemaker is barely functioning at 4%, and I fear this may very well be my final celebration. Tragically, I won’t have the chance to share it with my only son, who has been in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for nearly 18 months. He has been separated from his wife, child, and newborn baby, leaving us all uncertain about when we might be reunited.
Last December, my son, his expectant wife, our young grandson, and I made a desperate escape from Guatemala, fleeing threats from drug cartels. Upon our arrival in California, we were immediately detained and separated. My son was transferred to Georgia, I was held in California, and my daughter-in-law was sent to Washington, D.C., where she gave birth to my second grandchild, who is now a U.S. citizen.
Eventually, I was released to be with my daughter-in-law and grandchildren, but my asylum application and my son’s bond have both been denied. We lack the financial means to mount a legal challenge. Though I have applied for a work permit that would enable me to undergo necessary heart surgery, that process is also on hold. Without this surgery, my chances of survival are slim.
Sadly, my story is far from unique. Countless families have been torn apart since last summer, and my heart aches for the children who have suffered tragic fates under the hands of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In response to this injustice, I have become an advocate for my son and others who find themselves trapped in similar situations. I have participated in rallies on Capitol Hill and supported Rosa Martinez, a mother of three who has sought sanctuary at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church since December. Like every mother, Rosa longs to remain with her American-born children and has fervently appealed to both local and national officials for assistance. Her children have even made heartfelt visits to their senators to deliver letters pleading for their mother’s case.
At times, I feel utterly powerless, especially when I consider my son’s prolonged detention and my inability to offer financial support to my daughter-in-law, with whom I currently reside. We came to this country seeking a better life, but our situation feels just as perilous as it did back in Guatemala.
Every mother hopes to create a better future for her family. Every night, I pray for compassion from those in power and that judges may be empowered to examine each case individually, giving me the opportunity to see my son freed. The trauma we’ve endured — and that countless migrant families continue to experience — may never be fully resolved due to the pervasive immorality and animosity surrounding us. I sincerely hope that our leaders will choose to invest in love and reunite families.
In conclusion, this Mother’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by countless families. My hope is that we can come together to advocate for justice and compassion.
Keyphrase: Mother’s Day and Immigration
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